Brief Biography of Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (ALLAH Bless With Him)
Quick Facts
|
Abu Bakr real name is Abdullah ibn Abi Quhafa (Arabic: عبد الله بن أبي قحافة) born in 573 CE and died in 23 August 634 CE also known as Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (Arabic: أبو بكر الصديق) was a companion (Sahabi) and the father-in-law of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He ruled over the Rashidun Caliphate from 632–634 CE when he became the first Muslim Caliph following Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) death. As Caliph, Abu Bakr succeeded to the political and administrative functions previously exercised by Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), since the religious function and authority of prophethood ended with Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him). He was called Al-Siddiq (The Truthful) and was known by that title among later generations of Muslims.
Name & Title
Abu Bakr (The Owner of Camels) was not his real name. He acquired this name later in life because of his great interest in raising camels. Before embrace of Islam his real name was Abdul Ka’aba (Slave of Kaaba), which Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) later changed to Abdullah (Slave of God).
He was called 'Al-Siddiq' (The truthful / The Testifier to the Truth) by Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) after he believed him in the event of Isra and Mi'raj when other people didn't, and Ali confirmed that title several times.
Imam Jafar Al Sadiq (ALLAH Bless With Him) famously narrated how the title Siddiq was given to Abu Bakr from Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He was also a direct descendant of Abu Bakr from his maternal side, as well as being a paternal descendant of Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) from his father's side. Imam Muhammad Al Baqir (ALLAH Bless With Him), the father of Imam Jafar Sadiq (ALLAH Bless With Him) also called Abu Bakr with the title "Siddiq".
He was called 'Al-Siddiq' (The truthful / The Testifier to the Truth) by Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) after he believed him in the event of Isra and Mi'raj when other people didn't, and Ali confirmed that title several times.
Imam Jafar Al Sadiq (ALLAH Bless With Him) famously narrated how the title Siddiq was given to Abu Bakr from Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). He was also a direct descendant of Abu Bakr from his maternal side, as well as being a paternal descendant of Ali (ALLAH Bless With Him) from his father's side. Imam Muhammad Al Baqir (ALLAH Bless With Him), the father of Imam Jafar Sadiq (ALLAH Bless With Him) also called Abu Bakr with the title "Siddiq".
Life from Birth till Hijra
Abu Bakr was born in Mecca some time in 573 CE, to a rich family in the Banu Taym clan of the Quraysh tribe. His father, Uthman was known as Abu Quhafah and his mother, Salma, was known as Ummul Khair. He was descendent in generation of Mirah Bin Ka'b, progenitor of the family of Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
The lineage of Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was: Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him); the son of Uthman Abu Quhafa; the son of Amar; the son of Umru; the son of Kaab; the son of Saad; the son of Taym; the son of Murrah.
The lineage of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was: Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him); the son of Abd Allah ibn Abd al Muttalib; the son of Abdul Muttalib; the son of Hashim ibn 'Abd Manaf; the son of Abd Manaf ibn Qusai; the son of Qusai ibn Kilab; the son of Kilab ibn Murrah; the son of Murrah.He spent his early childhood like other Arab children of the time among the Bedouins who called themselves Ahl-i-Ba'eer (The people of the camel), and developed a particular fondness for camels. In his early years he played with the camel foals and goats, and his love for camels earned him the nickname "Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him)", the father of the foal of the camel.
When Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was 10 years old, he went to Syria along with his father with the merchants' caravan. Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who was 12 years old at the time, was also with the caravan. In 591 at the age of 18, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) went into trade and adopted the profession of cloth merchant, which was the family's business. In the coming years Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) traveled extensively with caravans. Business trips took him to Yemen, Syria, and elsewhere. These travels brought him wealth and added to his experience. His business flourished and he rose in the scale of social importance. Though his father, Uthman Abu Quhafa, was still alive, he came to be recognized as chief of his tribe.
Like other children of the rich Meccan merchant families, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was literate and developed a fondness for poetry. He used to attend the annual fair at Ukaz, and participate in poetical symposia. He had a very good memory and had a good knowledge of the genealogy of the Arab tribes, their stories and their politics.
A story is preserved that once when he was a child, his father took him to the Kaaba, and asked him to pray before the idols. His father went away to attend to some other business, and Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was left alone with the idols.
The lineage of Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was: Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him); the son of Uthman Abu Quhafa; the son of Amar; the son of Umru; the son of Kaab; the son of Saad; the son of Taym; the son of Murrah.
The lineage of Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was: Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him); the son of Abd Allah ibn Abd al Muttalib; the son of Abdul Muttalib; the son of Hashim ibn 'Abd Manaf; the son of Abd Manaf ibn Qusai; the son of Qusai ibn Kilab; the son of Kilab ibn Murrah; the son of Murrah.He spent his early childhood like other Arab children of the time among the Bedouins who called themselves Ahl-i-Ba'eer (The people of the camel), and developed a particular fondness for camels. In his early years he played with the camel foals and goats, and his love for camels earned him the nickname "Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him)", the father of the foal of the camel.
When Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was 10 years old, he went to Syria along with his father with the merchants' caravan. Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), who was 12 years old at the time, was also with the caravan. In 591 at the age of 18, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) went into trade and adopted the profession of cloth merchant, which was the family's business. In the coming years Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) traveled extensively with caravans. Business trips took him to Yemen, Syria, and elsewhere. These travels brought him wealth and added to his experience. His business flourished and he rose in the scale of social importance. Though his father, Uthman Abu Quhafa, was still alive, he came to be recognized as chief of his tribe.
Like other children of the rich Meccan merchant families, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was literate and developed a fondness for poetry. He used to attend the annual fair at Ukaz, and participate in poetical symposia. He had a very good memory and had a good knowledge of the genealogy of the Arab tribes, their stories and their politics.
A story is preserved that once when he was a child, his father took him to the Kaaba, and asked him to pray before the idols. His father went away to attend to some other business, and Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was left alone with the idols.
Addressing an idol, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) said "O my God, I am in need of beautiful clothes; bestow them on me". The idol remained indifferent. Then he addressed another idol saying "O God, give me some delicious food. See that I am so hungry". The idol remained cold. That exhausted the patience of young Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him). He lifted a stone, and addressing an idol said "Here I am aiming a stone; if you are a god protect yourself". Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) hurled the stone at the idol and left the Kaaba. Thereafter, he never went to the Kaaba to pray to the idols.
On his return from a business trip from Yemen, he was informed by friends that in his absence Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had declared himself the Messenger of God, and proclaimed a new religion. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) is the first ever male to embrace Islam on his free will and soon after embracing Islam, he became the right hand of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). His conversion brought many people to Islam. He persuaded his intimate friends to convert to Islam. And presented Islam to others in such a way that many of his friends accepted Islam.
Those who converted to Islam at the insistence of Abu Bakr were:
For three years after the advent of Islam, Muslims kept secret their faith, and prayed in secret. In 613 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) decided to call people to Islam openly. The first public address inviting people to offer allegiance to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was delivered by Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him). In a fit of fury the young men of the Quraysh tribe rushed at Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him), and beat him mercilessly till he lost consciousness. Following this incident Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him)'s mother converted to Islam. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was persecuted many times by the Quraysh. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him)'s beliefs would have been defended by his own clan, but not by the entire Quraysh tribe.
In 617, the Quraysh enforced a boycott against the Banu Hashim. Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) along with his supporters from Banu Hashim, were cut off in a pass away from Mecca. All social relations with the Banu Hashim were cut off and their state was that of imprisonment. Before it many Muslims migrated to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in 615. Abu Bakr, feeling distressed, set out for Yemen and then to Abyssinia from there.
He met a friend of his named Ad-Dughna (chief of the Qarah tribe) outside Mecca, who invited Abu Bakr to seek his protection against the Quraysh.
He took him back to Mecca and told the Arab infidels that Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was in his protection and be allowed to live in Mecca untroubled. The Arabs agreed on one condition that Abu Baker would not worship and recite Holy Quran publicly.
He agreed to the term, but could not comply with it for long. He made a mosque outside his house and offered worship and recitation of Quran publicly. His sweet-sounding recitation attracted many people around him. When, on the complaint by Arabs, Ad-Dughna approached him. Ad-Dughna renounce his protection. Once again the Quraysh were free to persecute Abu Bakr.
In 620 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him)'s wife and uncle died. Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha was engaged to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), however it was decided that the actual marriage ceremony would be held later. In 620 Abu Bakr was the first person to testify to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him)'s Isra and Mi'raj (night Journey).
Those who converted to Islam at the insistence of Abu Bakr were:
- Uthman Ibn Affan (Who would became the 3rd Caliph)
- Al-Zubayr (Played a part in the Muslim conquest of Egypt)
- Talha Ibn Ubayd-Allah
- Abdur Rahman bin Awf (Who would remain an important part of the Rashidun Caliphate)
- Sa`d ibn Abi Waqqas (Played a part in the Islamic conquest of Persia)
- Abu Ubaidah ibn al-Jarrah (Who remained commander in chief of the Rashidun army in Syria )
- Abu Salama (Abdullah bin Abdul Asad)
- Khalid ibn Sa`id
- Abu Hudhaifah ibn al-Mughirah
- Bilal ibn Rabah (Arabic: بلال بن رباح) or Bilal al-Habashi
- Abu Fakih
- Ammar ibn Yasir (Arabic: عمار بن یاسر)
- Amir ibn Fuhayra (عامر بن فهيرة)
- Lubaynah
- Al-Nahdiah
- Umm Ubays
- Harithah bint al-Muammil
For three years after the advent of Islam, Muslims kept secret their faith, and prayed in secret. In 613 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) decided to call people to Islam openly. The first public address inviting people to offer allegiance to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was delivered by Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him). In a fit of fury the young men of the Quraysh tribe rushed at Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him), and beat him mercilessly till he lost consciousness. Following this incident Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him)'s mother converted to Islam. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was persecuted many times by the Quraysh. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him)'s beliefs would have been defended by his own clan, but not by the entire Quraysh tribe.
In 617, the Quraysh enforced a boycott against the Banu Hashim. Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) along with his supporters from Banu Hashim, were cut off in a pass away from Mecca. All social relations with the Banu Hashim were cut off and their state was that of imprisonment. Before it many Muslims migrated to Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in 615. Abu Bakr, feeling distressed, set out for Yemen and then to Abyssinia from there.
He met a friend of his named Ad-Dughna (chief of the Qarah tribe) outside Mecca, who invited Abu Bakr to seek his protection against the Quraysh.
He took him back to Mecca and told the Arab infidels that Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was in his protection and be allowed to live in Mecca untroubled. The Arabs agreed on one condition that Abu Baker would not worship and recite Holy Quran publicly.
He agreed to the term, but could not comply with it for long. He made a mosque outside his house and offered worship and recitation of Quran publicly. His sweet-sounding recitation attracted many people around him. When, on the complaint by Arabs, Ad-Dughna approached him. Ad-Dughna renounce his protection. Once again the Quraysh were free to persecute Abu Bakr.
In 620 Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him)'s wife and uncle died. Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha was engaged to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), however it was decided that the actual marriage ceremony would be held later. In 620 Abu Bakr was the first person to testify to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him)'s Isra and Mi'raj (night Journey).
Life In Medina
In 622, Finally when God’s permission came to emigrate from Mecca, he was the one chosen by the Prophet to accompany him on the dangerous journey to Medina. Due to the danger of the Quraysh, they did not take the road to Medina. They moved in the opposite direction, and took refuge in a cave in Jabal Thawr some five miles south of Mecca. Abdullah ibn Abi Bakr, the son of Abu Bakr, would listen to the plans and talks of the Quraysh, and at night he would carry the news to the fugitives in the cave. Asma bint Abi Bakr, the daughter of Abu Bakr, brought them meals every day. Aamir, a servant of Abu Bakr, would bring a flock of goats to the mouth of the cave every night where they were milked. The Quraysh sent search parties in all directions. One party came close to the entrance to the cave, but was unable to sight them. After staying at the cave for three days and three nights, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) proceed to Medina, staying for some time at Quba, a suburb of Medina.
In Medina, Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) decided to construct a mosque. A piece of land was chosen and the price of the land was paid for by Abu Bakr. Muslims constructed a mosque named Al-Masjid al-Nabawi at the site and Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) also took part in construction. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was paired with Khaarij ah bin Zaid Ansari (Who was from Medina) as a brother in faith. Abu Bakr's relationship with Khaarjah was most cordial, which was further strengthened when Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) married Habiba, a daughter of Khaarijah.
Early in 623, Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha, who was already engaged to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), was handed over to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in a simple marriage ceremony, and this further strengthened the relation between Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
He participated in all the battles in which Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had to fight the disbelievers. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) loved his faith more than anything else.
In Medina, Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) decided to construct a mosque. A piece of land was chosen and the price of the land was paid for by Abu Bakr. Muslims constructed a mosque named Al-Masjid al-Nabawi at the site and Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) also took part in construction. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was paired with Khaarij ah bin Zaid Ansari (Who was from Medina) as a brother in faith. Abu Bakr's relationship with Khaarjah was most cordial, which was further strengthened when Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) married Habiba, a daughter of Khaarijah.
Early in 623, Abu Bakr's daughter Aisha, who was already engaged to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), was handed over to Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) in a simple marriage ceremony, and this further strengthened the relation between Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
He participated in all the battles in which Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) had to fight the disbelievers. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) loved his faith more than anything else.
At the Battle of Badr, his son, Abdur Rahman was fighting on the side of the Kuffar. After accepting Islam, Abdur Rahman said to his father, "O Father, at Badr, you were twice under my sword, but my love for you held my hand back." To this, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) replied, "Son, if I had you only once under my sword, you would have been no more."
He was so uncompromising in his faith. At the time of the Battle of Tabuk, he donated all his wealth to the war effort, and when Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) asked him, "What have you left for your family,?" he replied, "ALLAH and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him)."
Abu-Bakar’s Caliphate
After Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) death, he became the first Muslim Caliph. As Caliph, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) succeeded to the political and administrative functions previously exercised by Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), since the religious function and authority of prophethood ended with Muhammad's death.
After his election as the Caliph, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) addressed the Muslims with these words
After his election as the Caliph, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) addressed the Muslims with these words
"O People! I have been chosen by you as your leader, although I am no better than any of you. If I do any wrong, set me right. Listen, truth is honesty and untruth is dishonesty. The weak among you are the powerful in my eyes, as long as I do not give them their dues. The powerful among you are weak in my eyes, as long as I do not take away from them what is due to others.
Listen carefully, if people give up striving for the Cause of Almighty ALLAH, He will send down disgrace upon them. If people become evil-doers, Almighty ALLAH will send down calamities upon them.
Obey me as long as I obey ALLAH and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). If I disobey ALLAH and Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him), you are free to disobey me".
As the news of the Prophet’s death spread, a number of tribes rebelled and refused to pay Zakat saying that this was due only to the Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him). At the same time a number of impostors claimed that the prophethood had passed to them after Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) and they raised the standard of revolt. To add to all this, two powerful empires, the Eastern Roman and the Persian, also threatened the new-born Islamic state at Medina.
|
Under these circumstances, many Companions of the Prophet, including Umar, advised Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) to make concessions to the Zakat evaders, at least for a time. The new Caliph disagreed. He insisted that the Divine Law cannot be divided, that there is no distinction between the obligations of Zakat and Salat, and that any compromise with the injunctions of God would eventually erode the foundations of Islam. Umar and others were quick to realize their error of judgment. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) declared, "By ALLAH! Even if a single thread is due from a man, he must give it. If he refuses, I will declare war against him."
The revolting tribes attacked Medina but the Muslims were prepared. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) himself led the charge, forcing them to retreat. Some others became imposters and renegades. Tulaiha, Musailimah, Maalik bin Nuwairah, Aswad Ansi and a woman named Sajah claimed that they were prophets and caused a great deal of confusion. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was quick to take action against these imposters. Khalid bin Walid (ALLAH Bless With Him) was sent to deal with Tulaiha who fled to Syria and later became a Muslim. Maalik bin Nuwarah was killed. Ikramah (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Surahbil (ALLAH Bless With Him) were sent to take action against Musailimah, but they were defeated. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) sent Khalid bin Walid (ALLAH Bless With Him) to tackle the notorious Musailamah who married Sajah. In the fight that followed, Wahshi (ALLAH Bless With Him) killed Musailamah. Musailamah and Aswad Ansi also claimed to be prophets while Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was alive. Aswad was killed by the Muslims of Yemen.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) swift and bold steps saved the Islamic State from the serious danger of chaos and confusion. He could now attend to other urgent problems.During his Khilaafat, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) had to take action against the Sassanid Persian Empire. The Emperor of Persia (Iran), Khusrou Parvez, was killed by his son, Shirooya, and the whole empire fell into chaos and disorder. Hurmuz, the Persian governor of Iraq, was very hostile to the Arabs and he was also cruel to the Muslims living in that area.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) sent Muthamia (ALLAH Bless With Him) to take action against the Iranians in Iraq. His forces were not enough and Khalid bin Walid (ALLAH Bless With Him) was then sent with reinforcements. The Muslim army captured vast areas of the Iranian Empire in several battles.
The threat from the Roman Empire had actually arisen earlier, during the Prophet’s lifetime. The Prophet had organized an army under the command of Usama, the son of a freed slave. The army had not gone far when the Prophet had fallen ill so they stopped. After the death of the Prophet the question was raised whether the army should be sent again or should remain for the defence of Medina. Again Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) showed a firm determination. He said, “I shall send Usama’s army on its way as ordered by the Prophet, even if I am left alone.”
The final instructions he gave to Usama prescribed a code of conduct in war which remains unsurpassed to this day. Part of his instructions to the Muslim army were
The revolting tribes attacked Medina but the Muslims were prepared. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) himself led the charge, forcing them to retreat. Some others became imposters and renegades. Tulaiha, Musailimah, Maalik bin Nuwairah, Aswad Ansi and a woman named Sajah claimed that they were prophets and caused a great deal of confusion. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) was quick to take action against these imposters. Khalid bin Walid (ALLAH Bless With Him) was sent to deal with Tulaiha who fled to Syria and later became a Muslim. Maalik bin Nuwarah was killed. Ikramah (ALLAH Bless With Him) and Surahbil (ALLAH Bless With Him) were sent to take action against Musailimah, but they were defeated. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) sent Khalid bin Walid (ALLAH Bless With Him) to tackle the notorious Musailamah who married Sajah. In the fight that followed, Wahshi (ALLAH Bless With Him) killed Musailamah. Musailamah and Aswad Ansi also claimed to be prophets while Mohammad (Peace Be Upon Him) was alive. Aswad was killed by the Muslims of Yemen.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) swift and bold steps saved the Islamic State from the serious danger of chaos and confusion. He could now attend to other urgent problems.During his Khilaafat, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) had to take action against the Sassanid Persian Empire. The Emperor of Persia (Iran), Khusrou Parvez, was killed by his son, Shirooya, and the whole empire fell into chaos and disorder. Hurmuz, the Persian governor of Iraq, was very hostile to the Arabs and he was also cruel to the Muslims living in that area.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) sent Muthamia (ALLAH Bless With Him) to take action against the Iranians in Iraq. His forces were not enough and Khalid bin Walid (ALLAH Bless With Him) was then sent with reinforcements. The Muslim army captured vast areas of the Iranian Empire in several battles.
The threat from the Roman Empire had actually arisen earlier, during the Prophet’s lifetime. The Prophet had organized an army under the command of Usama, the son of a freed slave. The army had not gone far when the Prophet had fallen ill so they stopped. After the death of the Prophet the question was raised whether the army should be sent again or should remain for the defence of Medina. Again Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) showed a firm determination. He said, “I shall send Usama’s army on its way as ordered by the Prophet, even if I am left alone.”
The final instructions he gave to Usama prescribed a code of conduct in war which remains unsurpassed to this day. Part of his instructions to the Muslim army were
"Do not be deserters, nor be guilty of disobedience. Do not kill an old man, a woman or a child. Do not injure date palms and do not cut down fruit trees. Do not slaughter any sheep or cows or camels except for food. You will encounter persons who spend their lives in monasteries. Leave them alone and do not molest them.”
The army has achieved the great victories and opened the door. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) sent 4 separate armies under Ubaidah bin Jarrah, Amr Ibnul As, Yazid bin Abu Sufyaan and Surahbil bin Hasnal (ALLAH Bless With All) to deal with the Roman power. The four armies joined into one unit to face the Romans more effectively. The Romans had amassed 150000 soldiers, but the total Muslim army was only 24 000. Reinforcements were requested. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) asked Khalid bin Walid (ALLAH Bless With Him) to take charge of the Iraqi front and Muthanna (ALLAH Bless With Him) to rush to the Syrian front to help fight the huge Roman army. The armies met in Yarmuk after Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) passed away. In this battle, the Romans were totally defeated. Throughout Abu Bakr’s reign Khalid led his troops from one victory to another against the attacking Romans. During his caliphate, he instituted public treasury (Bayt-ul-mal) to take care of the poor. He was the first to compile holy Qura'n and called it 'Mus-haf'.
Death of Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him)
On 8 August 634 corresponding to 7th of Jamadi-ul-Akhir of the 13th A.H. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) fell sick and did not recover due to his old age. There are two accounts about the sickness of Abu Bakr. One account states that 8 August 634 was a cold day and when Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) took a bath, he caught a chill. Another account indicates that, about a year before, along with some other companions, Harith bin Kaladah and Attab bin Usaid, he had eaten some poisoned food which did not affect him for a year.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) developed high fever and was confined to bed. His illness was prolonged and when his condition worsened he felt that his end was near.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) next asked Aisha as to how many pieces of cloth were used for Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) shroud. Aisha said that three pieces had been used. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) thereupon desired the same number for his own shroud.
Before, his departure to the Afterworld, he told his daughter Ayesha Siddiqa that when his funeral became ready for the burial, he be taken to the shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and permission for entering the Shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) be sought. If the door of the shrine opens of its own, he may be buried there.
On Monday 23 August 634 (22 Jamadi-al Akhir, 13th A.H.) between Maghrib and Isha at the age of 61, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) died. The funeral prayer was led by Umar.
When the mourners took his funeral at the door of the shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) they said: "O prophet of ALLAH! your companion Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) seeks permission to enter," and the door of the shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) opened without touching by anybody.
He was buried the same night by the side of Muhammad's grave in Aisha's house near Al-Masjid al-Nabawi. His caliphate had been of a mere twenty-seven months duration. In this brief span, however, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) had managed, by the Grace of God, to strengthen and consolidate his community and the state, and to secure the Muslims against the perils which had threatened their existence.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) developed high fever and was confined to bed. His illness was prolonged and when his condition worsened he felt that his end was near.
Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) next asked Aisha as to how many pieces of cloth were used for Mohammad's (Peace Be Upon Him) shroud. Aisha said that three pieces had been used. Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) thereupon desired the same number for his own shroud.
Before, his departure to the Afterworld, he told his daughter Ayesha Siddiqa that when his funeral became ready for the burial, he be taken to the shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and permission for entering the Shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) be sought. If the door of the shrine opens of its own, he may be buried there.
On Monday 23 August 634 (22 Jamadi-al Akhir, 13th A.H.) between Maghrib and Isha at the age of 61, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) died. The funeral prayer was led by Umar.
When the mourners took his funeral at the door of the shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) they said: "O prophet of ALLAH! your companion Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) seeks permission to enter," and the door of the shrine of the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) opened without touching by anybody.
He was buried the same night by the side of Muhammad's grave in Aisha's house near Al-Masjid al-Nabawi. His caliphate had been of a mere twenty-seven months duration. In this brief span, however, Abu Bakr (ALLAH Bless With Him) had managed, by the Grace of God, to strengthen and consolidate his community and the state, and to secure the Muslims against the perils which had threatened their existence.